Volunteers are an integral part of the life of the school and we welcome parents to become more involved in the life of the school through their child/children.

Each volunteer is required to obtain an initial Criminal Reference Check which includes a vulnerable sector search through Hamilton Police Services. Any parent who wishes to accompany their child on a school trip, supervise children and/or volunteer their time in the school working with children must obtain the reference check in all schools within the Hamilton Wentworth Catholic District School Board. The following steps will facilitate the required documentation in a timely fashion:

Step 1:
Call the school and request a letter signed by the Principal on school letterhead identifying the need for the reference check to be completed.

Step 2:
The volunteer takes the letter to the Police Dept. with 2 pieces of photo ID and submits the required fee of $15.00. (The usual fee of $40.00 is reduced for volunteers)

Step 3:
Return to the Police Dept. to pick up the completed reference check with vulnerable sector search completed. (usual wait time is approximately 30 days)

Step 4:
Bring the original reference check back to the school to be photocopied and signed off and dated as a true copy of the original. The photocopy is then submitted to the Board Office for safekeeping. The names of all volunteers at Holy Name of Mary School will be made available via a spread sheet for office record keeping.

Step 5:
On a yearly basis all volunteers are required to submit an Offence Declaration Form available from the office after successful completion of the Criminal Reference Check. These forms will be sent home to volunteers as they become available.

Step 6:
Parents are encouraged to contact their child's teacher to establish days and times of volunteering in the classroom that are mutually convenient.